The Pep Guardiola Manchester City exit has left a void at the club.
The 55-year-old Spaniard won 20 trophies, including 17 major ones, in his 10 years as a manager at the club. The Pep Guardiola Manchester City record is simply outstanding, rivalled only by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United over a longer period.
In this article, we pick a Man City best XI under Pep Gaurdiola.
Pep Guardiola Manchester City Best XI
#1. Goalkeeper – Ederson
There is not much to debate in this respect. Ederson took over from Claudio Bravo and went on to play in 372 matches for the Cityzens under Guardiola.
Ederson is one of the goalkeepers today who can play well off his feet, and that was necessary when it came to playing in Guardiola’s team, which liked to play out from the back. However, Ederson is a very good goalkeeper as well, with his shot-stopping abilities.
He won six Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League title for Manchester City.
#2. Right-Back – Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker was signed from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 by Guardiola. Walker went on to play 319 matches for the Cityzens, winning six Premier League titles and a Champions League with the club.
Walker’s superb speed and crossing ability have made him one of the best right-backs in England for close to a decade.
Walker had some great battles with left-wingers like Vinicius Junior and Marcus Rashford during his stay at Manchester City. He left the club as its most successful right-back.
#3. Right Centre-Back – Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany spent three of his 11 seasons at Manchester City under Guardiola and also won two of his four Premier League titles under him.
A brilliant physical specimen, Kompany marshalled the defensive third with great ability and courage. His goal against Leicester City with a scorching shot played a key role in Manchester City’s league win in 2018/19.
Kompany played in 360 matches for the Cityzens and scored 20 goals.
#4. Left Centre-Back – Ruben Dias
Ruben Dias was signed by Guardiola in 2020 and has had a huge influence on the club’s fortunes since then. Dias has played in 254 matches for Manchester City and won the Premier League title four times.
His aerial presence and robust tackling are exactly what a manager looks for in a centre-back. Dias should continue to be an important figure for the Cityzens in the next few seasons as well.
#5. Left-Back – Joao Cancelo
Joao Cancelo had a feud with Guardiola before he left Manchester City. However, prior to that, Cancelo played for the club for four seasons and made 154 appearances for them.
He has the ability to play on both flanks as a full-back. Cancelo’s speed and ball skills make him a very attacking full-back. Hence, he makes this team without a doubt.
#6. Defensive Midfielder – Rodri
The lone Ballon d’Or winner from Manchester City in the club’s history will always have to get a special mention. Rodri won the award in 2024 after a wonderful treble-winning season for the Cityzens.
Rodri is a great passer of the ball and a clean tackler as well. He is such a key component in Manchester City’s team that his absence proves to be detrimental to them.
Rodri has played in almost 300 matches for Manchester City so far, winning six Premier League and a UEFA Champions League title for them.
#7. Central Midfielder – Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has quite possibly been the Premier League’s best player over the past decade or so. De Bruyne has the second-highest assist tally after Ryan Giggs in the Premier League. His passing, crossing, vision and goal-scoring ability make him a lock in this team.
De Bruyne left the club in 2025 after having played in more than 400 matches for the club and scored more than 100 goals. He also won six Premier League titles and a Champions League title and played a major role in bolstering Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City record.
#8. Central Midfielder – David Silva
David Silva is one of the greatest players to have played for the club, having played in 436 matches and scored 77 goals. Under Guardiola, Silva spent four seasons and won two Premier League titles.
The left-footed genius of Silva was evident in the way Man City imposed themselves on the pitch.
He would be a perfect ally for De Bruyne in this team, with his short, crisp passes complementing De Bruyne’s vision and crossing.
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#9. Right-Winger – Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez is one of the players to have won Premier League titles with two different clubs: Leicester City and Manchester City. The Algerian right-winger is a great dribbler and won four Premier League titles with the Cityzens under Guardiola.
He played in 236 matches for the Cityzens and scored 78 goals for the Cityzens. Until Antoine Semenyo was signed in this year’s January transfer window, the Manchester giants had not been able to suitably replace Mahrez after he left the club in 2023.
#10. Left-Winger – Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling played for Manchester City from 2015 to 2022 and made a total of 339 appearances, scoring 131 goals in them.
Sterling can play on either flank and helped Guardiola’s team win four Premier League titles. At his best, Sterling was a slippery player, with quick dribbling and brisk passing skills.
There is another contender to get into the Man City best XI under Guardiola as a winger in the form of Jeremy Doku, but Sterling has more credentials as a player.
#11. Striker – Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has scored 162 goals in 198 matches for Man City, winning the Premier League Golden Shoe in three out of his four seasons at Manchester City.
A big man physically, Haaland has improved his link-up play considerably as he has gotten more used to Manchester City’s style of play. He is a lethal finisher inside the box and a consummate finisher.
Guardiola’s Manchester City record has certainly been boosted by his signing in 2022.
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Credit: IMAGO / PA Images
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